"All of that is just plain good for businesses, it's good for workers, its good for our economies.

Pacific Island nations are not a part of the TPP negotiations, but with many Pacific nations already being affected by rising sea levels - among other effects of climate change - they will likely welcome Washington's focus on the issue.

Mr Kerry says sustainable economic development is an important part of the vision for US relations with the region.

"Ultimately the true measure of our success will not be just whether our economies continue to grow, but how they continue to grow," he said.

"Climate change is not a crisis of the future, climate change is here and now."

One of the countries on Mr Kerry's itinerary, Solomon Islands, is particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.

He says many islands across the Pacific could be entirely wiped out by rising sea levels.

"Just yesterday I saw with my own eyes what sea level rises would do... it would be devastating."

Mr Kerry talked up US credentials on climate change, including the commitment to implement President Barrack Obama's climate action plan, despite congressional opposition.

He says strategic and economic dialogue that took place in Beijing last month sends another clear message that China and the US - the world's two largest greenhouse gas emitters - are committed to and working together at building sustainable economic growth, and significantly lowering their greenhouse gas emissions.

Kerry calls for rules-based approach to maritime disputes

With tension over disputed islands in the South China Sea still high, strategic issues are as much of a focus as climate change.

Mr Kerry stressed the need for rules-based resolution, and sought to shift the focus from conflict to cooperation.

"All of us... understand that these disputes in the South China Sea and elsewhere are really about more than claims to islands and reefs and rocks," he said.

"They're about whether might makes right, or whether global rules and norms and rule of law and international law will prevail.

"The United States of America takes no position on questions of sovereignty in the South and East China Sea, but we do care about how those questions are resolved."

Support for human rights remains a key focus for the US, and Mr Kerry says Indonesia, and its recent election, is a model for how Asian values can sit side by side with a deepening democracy.

He's called on Thai authorities to lift restrictions on political activity, and for the country to hold free and fair elections as soon as possible.

You have no doubt been hearing a lot about the Paris Agreement and know that it pertains to climate change, but are too embarrassed at this stage to ask for an overall explanation of what it's all about.